Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

underpants

(182,774 posts)
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 04:17 PM Jul 2020

Column: In GOP plan, you can't sue your employers for giving you COVID -- but they can sue you

Excellent article but I can only post 4 paragraphs.


Instead, focus on the provision in its coronavirus relief bill that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) calls a must-have in any bill that passes: It’s liability protection for employers whose employees get sick at work.

This proposal has received scant attention in coverage of the GOP plan. But it’s more vicious than you could possibly imagine.

In their initial pleadings, plaintiffs would have to list “all places and persons” they had visited and all persons who visited their home during the 14 days before they suffered symptoms of COVID-19.

In other words, an employer could exempt itself from federal labor law by examining its “options” or deciding that maintaining a safe workplace was just too darned hard to achieve. If a business issued or posted a written policy on limiting transmission of the coronavirus, that would be enough to achieve immunity from lawsuits.


https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-07-29/covid-employer-liability

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Column: In GOP plan, you can't sue your employers for giving you COVID -- but they can sue you (Original Post) underpants Jul 2020 OP
Kickin' with disgust! Faux pas Jul 2020 #1
Why do republicans hate the working class? fleur-de-lisa Jul 2020 #2
Because a worker is just that: A unit of available labor. LastDemocratInSC Jul 2020 #3
Just like Rev. James Lawson said today, CozyMystery Jul 2020 #10
I heard the last 10 minutes of his presentation. LastDemocratInSC Jul 2020 #11
Because their love for the monied class knows no bounds Cirque du So-What Jul 2020 #4
Per your comment about only posting 4 paras: I think a screenshot/jpg can be absolutely huge. erronis Jul 2020 #5
Copyright rules. underpants Jul 2020 #8
I think defendants have always been able to sue for frivolous lawsuits. Hoyt Jul 2020 #6
They'll just fire up the unions again. CaptYossarian Jul 2020 #7
I think I heard there is a "no malpracrice lawsuits until 2024" BigmanPigman Jul 2020 #9

LastDemocratInSC

(3,647 posts)
3. Because a worker is just that: A unit of available labor.
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 04:59 PM
Jul 2020

To be used when and where it's desirable to do so, and for the least possible expense. Preferably for zero expense. The worker's rewards come in the sweet bye and bye.

CozyMystery

(652 posts)
10. Just like Rev. James Lawson said today,
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 07:26 PM
Jul 2020

our economic system is rightly called "Plantation Capitalism".

If you don't know who Rev. Lawson is, watch John Lewis's funeral. He is a powerful speaker.

LastDemocratInSC

(3,647 posts)
11. I heard the last 10 minutes of his presentation.
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 08:11 PM
Jul 2020

I was on the way home. I didn't know his name at that point but his words gave me goosebumps - quite a case of them - so I pulled into a Target parking lot and just listened. It was awesome, as you know. Very powerful, enough to elicit a strong emotional response.

I hope he's written books. I could use more of his thoughts and style.

Cirque du So-What

(25,932 posts)
4. Because their love for the monied class knows no bounds
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 05:01 PM
Jul 2020

Anything that benefits or protects workers is anathema to the 1% and, therefore, that’s how the repugs legislate.

erronis

(15,241 posts)
5. Per your comment about only posting 4 paras: I think a screenshot/jpg can be absolutely huge.
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 05:07 PM
Jul 2020

I don't understand DU's technical restrictions but I've seen OPs with 100's of lines/pictures. Apparently twitter injections of content don't count either.

I hate to circumvent well-intentioned restrictions but it appears others do it frequently.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
6. I think defendants have always been able to sue for frivolous lawsuits.
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 05:33 PM
Jul 2020

Not easy to prove, and would likely remain so.

I’d almost bet, it would be easy to overcome a motion to dismiss based upon, “it was just to difficult to reasonably safeguard workers,” or “we had a policy” when the policy was knowingly ineffective or was never followed. But, I’m no lawyer.

BigmanPigman

(51,584 posts)
9. I think I heard there is a "no malpracrice lawsuits until 2024"
Thu Jul 30, 2020, 07:08 PM
Jul 2020

item slipped into the GOP's part of the plan.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»Column: In GOP plan, you ...